History of NBA 3-Point Contest winners: Who has the most wins in All-Star event?

Author Photo
Damian Lillard
(Getty Images)

The 3-point shot has not lasted long in the grand scheme of the history of basketball. It didn't become a part of the NBA until the start of the 1979-80 season.

But it hasn't taken long for the thrill of the long-range field goal to become a premier event at the NBA's All-Star Weekend. It took just six years after the 3-point line was introduced that the NBA paired it with the Slam Dunk Contest to form a duo of events to go alongside the All-Star Weekend.

Since its advent in the 1985-86 season, it has been held every season except the year of the lockout, which took place during the 1998-99 campaign. 

Who has won the event the most? Here's what you need to know.

LIVE: Follow 3-Point Contest updates

History of NBA 3-Point Contest Winners

Larry Bird was a dangerous 3-point shooter during his NBA career, twice leading the league in made 3s. It should be no surprise then that the future Hall of Famer enjoyed playing in the 3-Point Contest.

He won the first 3-Point Contest and proceeded to win the next two as well, starting off with a streak of three straight years winning the event. Dale Ellis broke the streak in 1989, only for Craig Hodges to then go on a three-game streak of his own from 1990-92. Mark Price followed that up with two straight wins of his own.

Year Winner Team All-Star Weekend Location
1986 Larry Bird Celtics Dallas
1987 Larry Bird Celtics Seattle
1988 Larry Bird Celtics Chicago
1989 Dale Ellis Sonics Houston
1990 Craig Hodges Bulls Miami
1991 Craig Hodges Bulls Charlotte
1992 Craig Hodges Bulls Orlando
1993 Mark Price Cavs Salt Lake City
1994 Mark Price Cavs Minnesota
1995 Glen Rice Heat Phoenix
1996 Tim Legler Wizards San Antonio
1997 Steve Kerr Bulls Cleveland
1998 Jeff Hornacek Jazz New York
2000 Jeff Hornacek Jazz Oakland
2001 Ray Allen Bucks Washington, D.C.
2002 Peja Stojakovic Kings Philadelphia
2003 Peja Stojakovic Kings Atlanta
2004 Voshon Lenard Nuggets Los Angeles
2005 Quentin Richardson Suns Denver
2006 Dirk Nowitzki Mavs Houston
2007 Jason Kapono Raptors Las Vegas
2008 Jason Kapono Raptors New Orleans
2009 Daequan Cook Heat Phoenix
2010 Paul Pierce Celtics Dallas
2011 James Jones Heat Los Angeles
2012 Kevin Love Timberwolves Orlando
2013 Kyrie Irving Cavaliers Houston
2014 Marco Belinelli Spurs New Olreans
2015 Stephen Curry Warriors New York City
2016 Klay Thompson Warriors Toronto
2017 Eric Gordon Rockets New Orleans
2018 Devin Booker Suns Los Angeles
2019 Joe Harris Nets Charlotte
2020 Buddy Hield Kings Chicago
2021 Stephen Curry Warriors Atlanta
2022 Karl-Anthony Towns Timberwolves Cleveland
2023 Damian Lillard Trail Blazers Salt Lake City
2024 Damian Lillard Milwaukee Bucks Indianapolis

Who has won the most 3-Point Contests?

Bird and Hodges jointly share the record of three wins in the event. Price, Jeff Hornaceck, Peja Stojakovic, Jason Kapono and Stephen Curry each have won the event twice.

Winners have tended to come in bulk. Bird, Hodges and Price each won in consecutive seasons, as did Hornacek, who went back-to-back in 1998 and 2000 — there was no 1999 edition. Stojakovic won two straight from 2002-03. Kapono then won it in 2007 and 2008. There has not been a back-to-back winner since Kapono.

Since Curry is not participating in the 2024 edition, he will not be able to catch Bird and Hodges. Instead, Karl-Anthony Towns and Damian Lillard will look to join the list of two-time winners.

Author(s)
Author Photo
Edward Sutelan is a content producer at The Sporting News.
LATEST VIDEOS